iPhone 17e not only has A19, but also has upgraded Dynamic Island

News about Apple’s new phones has been piling up lately.

In particular, a lot of information from the supply chain has begun to circulate about the expected release date of the iPhone 17, which is considered to be a “people-friendly model.”

In fact, judging by the market performance of the iPhone 16e last year, this model, positioned between the SE series and the standard model, has been at the center of controversy.

01 Money-saving strategies provided by Apple to users

When the iPhone 16e was first released in February 2024, its starting price of $620 struck many longtime SE users as overpriced, and some even found it difficult to accept.

The previous SE series had a starting price of $420 for years, so a sudden increase of around $200 inevitably made the price seem unacceptable.

But to be fair, the iPhone 16e’s hardware is indeed impressive.

Powered by the same A18 chip as the flagship, its in-house developed C1 modem resolves signal issues, and battery life is nearly two hours longer than that of the previous SE series.

Many iPhone users have reported that for $620, they get the iOS ecosystem and flagship-level performance, making it an excellent value.

This trend of criticizing first and then buying has also fueled curiosity about Apple’s next-generation model.

Will the iPhone 17e continue this “high price, high specs” strategy?

Based on the leaks so far, the design strategy for the iPhone 17e is clear.

While keeping costs under control, some of the flagship’s “face-saving” features will be decentralized.

The most obvious change is the screen, which will be built on the same mold as the base iPhone 16 and feature a 6.1-inch OLED screen.

This isn’t surprising, but it finally means goodbye to the notch that’s been used for years, replacing it with the now-dominant punch-hole and Dynamic Island design.

While the Smart Island feature isn’t strictly necessary, it does enhance the screen’s overall appearance and adds to its aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, the Dynamic Island feature, previously exclusive to the iPhone Pro series, has now been brought to the entry-level E series model, making it a visually appealing option for many users.

02 iPhone 17e screen refresh rate remains at 60Hz

However, Apple’s marketing strategy remains remarkably precise, with the screen refresh rate still locked at 60Hz.

This is likely to spark further discussion, as Android phones under $200 now come standard with 120Hz refresh rates.

Android phones in the $500 price range even have 144Hz and 165Hz options.

Most importantly, once users have experienced the smooth scrolling experience brought by a high refresh rate, it’s difficult to go back to 60Hz.

But from another perspective, Apple’s insistence on 60Hz may have its own reasons.

On the one hand, it differentiates itself from the Pro series. On the other hand, a 60Hz screen offers advantages in power consumption. Combined with a well-optimized iOS system, the actual smoothness isn’t necessarily much worse than that of Android high-refresh screens.

For users accustomed to high-refresh screens, this configuration does seem a bit low.

03 The A19 chip used in iPhone 17e will continue to improve its performance

In terms of hardware performance, the iPhone 17e is expected to be equipped with the A19 chip, the same chip that will be used in next year’s standard iPhone 17.

As is Apple’s customary practice, the performance of its A-series chips has improved by 15%-20% annually.

The A19 will likely utilize a 3nm process, with both CPU and GPU performance expected to be even stronger than the A18, making it a breeze for daily use for three to five years.

The imaging system will undergo minimal changes, with the rear main camera remaining at 48 megapixels and the front camera at 12 megapixels. The single-lens camera configuration remains the same as the previous generation.

For most users, however, mobile photography is primarily for capturing daily life, and the 48-megapixel resolution is sufficient. Combined with Apple’s algorithm optimizations, the resulting image quality should remain above average.

04 Forecast on price and market share

Besides specs, price is always the most talked-about topic for entry-level iPhones.

According to current information, the iPhone 17e will likely maintain the iPhone 16e’s starting price of $620.

This price indeed makes it the “cheapest iPhone” within Apple’s product lineup, but when viewed across the entire mobile phone market, it faces significant competitive pressure.

Currently, there are many Android phones in the $500-700 price range, including models like the Huawei P80, Xiaomi Mi 15, and vivo X11.

Furthermore, many Android phones not only feature 120Hz refresh rate displays and multi-camera systems, but also large 5000mAh batteries and 67W+ fast charging, making their hardware specifications significantly more impressive than the iPhone 17e.

If it’s sold in China, the iPhone 17e might not be able to take advantage of the subsidies.

Last year, the iPhone 16e was able to drop to $480 in China thanks to China’s electronics subsidies, but this year’s subsidies expire at the end of the year.

The iPhone 17e, expected to be released next spring, will likely miss out on these benefits.

This means users will have to pay at least $620 to purchase the iPhone 17e, significantly reducing its price advantage compared to similarly priced Android models.

Apple itself is aware of the pressure in the Chinese market, as evidenced by recent adjustments to its product release schedule.

South Korean media outlet ETNews reports that Apple will release five new iPhones simultaneously next year, including a foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the iPhone 18 Air, and the iPhone 17e.

The base iPhone 18, which typically launches in September, will be delayed until the first half of 2027, launching alongside the iPhone 18e.

05 Will the new iPhone adopt a foldable design?

Many mobile phone manufacturers have mastered the art of releasing massive models over the years. Huawei alone releases over a dozen models annually, covering every price range. Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo are also expanding across the high-end, mid-range, and low-end markets.

New phones attract user attention every quarter.

Apple previously only released a concentrated number of models in the fall, which easily led to the Android camp stealing market attention in the first half of the year.

Now, they are lengthening their release cycles, releasing entry-level models in the first half of the year and flagship and innovative models in the second half. This ensures year-round market attention and avoids competition between models at different price points.

The most intriguing aspect of this adjustment is the news about a foldable iPhone.

The iPhone 17e is rumored to be released in the second half of 2026. It will feature a book-like folding design with a 7.8-inch inner screen and a 5.5-inch outer screen, and a thickness of just 4.5mm when unfolded. The hinge is made of liquid metal, which minimizes the crease to a nearly invisible level.

Foldable phones are nothing new.

Huawei and Samsung have been selling foldable models for several years, but the most common complaints from users are their thickness, noticeable creases, and high prices.

If Apple can truly address these issues, leveraging its brand influence, it might be able to transform foldables from a niche toy into a mainstream option.

However, the initial price is expected to be high, rumored to be around $2,000.

This is clearly not for the average user; it’s more like a flagship device, designed to showcase Apple’s technological prowess.

Back to the iPhone 17e. Its positioning is clear: an entry-level option for budget-conscious users who want to experience the iOS ecosystem.

Current Android users looking to switch to iOS don’t have to shell out over $1,000 for the Pro series. They can get a model with decent performance and a newer design for around $620. After all, iOS’s smoothness, security, and ecosystem integration remain advantages that many users are reluctant to give up.

However, the iPhone 17e also has significant shortcomings.

Besides the 60Hz screen, its charging speed is likely to remain the same. With 20W wired fast charging, a full charge takes over an hour and a half, while similarly priced Android models can generally be fully charged in 40 minutes.

While battery life has improved compared to its predecessor, a 5000mAh battery is standard in the Android ecosystem. The iPhone 17e will likely still use a 3000mAh battery, meaning heavy use will likely require two charges a day.

Apple isn’t incapable of improving these obvious shortcomings; they’ve been intentionally retained to differentiate its product positioning. After all, if the entry-level model has everything, who would buy the more expensive Pro series?

For consumers, choosing a phone ultimately comes down to personal needs.

06 Good things are still worth waiting for

Apple will still face significant challenges in its attempt to dominate the market with just the iPhone 17e.

However, this kind of competition is good for consumers. As manufacturers constantly compete on technology and price, we, the users, ultimately benefit.

As for how the iPhone 17e will ultimately perform, it’s hard to say at this point.

Whether the pricing is reasonable, whether the specs impress users, and whether there are any unexpected discounts will all influence its market performance.

But one thing is certain: with Apple adjusting its release schedule, the mobile phone market will be even more vibrant next year.

Whether it’s the novelty of foldable screens or the price-performance battle among entry-level models, both warrant continued attention.

Follow PickOnes for more and updated iPhone information.